Kids between the ages of 5 and 8 are in a Disneyland sweet spot. If they've visited Disneyland before, they'll probably want to check out their favorite attractions from when they were younger – but they also have a whole new world of rides to explore.

Start with our list of seven school-age-kid-friendly rides and attractions (then see our guide and detailed sample itinerary for a day at Disneyland with a 5- to 8-year-old).

Keep in mind that some of these may still be way too scary and intense for your child. The Magic Kingdom is more fun and manageable if you give some thought before you go to your child's age and temperament. Every kid is different, and a trip to Disneyland should be fun and exciting, not scary or stressful.

1. Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain starts off as a mellow, charming little log ride, complete with singing animatronic characters from Song of the South. Just when you start wondering why you waited so long for a fairly unexciting ride, you drop five stories into the Briar Patch, getting doused on your way down. It's the perfect combination of sweet and scary for many grade-schoolers.Height requirement: You must be at least 40 inches tall to ride.

2. Pirates of the Caribbean

Though it's been updated with characters from the blockbuster film franchise, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride retains its old-school, salty charm. There's a spooky talking skull, plenty of skeletons, and a bride auction ("buy a wench") that you may have to explain, but other than that the ride is pretty PG. Suspend disbelief for a moment and you'll really feel like you're down in the bayou a few hundred years ago, hanging with some very unsavory folks.

3. Autopia

Closed for renovation as of January 2016 with no firm reopening date. Check here for updates.Most kids wish they could drive, and Autopia gives them a chance to take the wheel. It's not as fancy as the newer Cars-themed Radiator Springs Racers at the Disney California Adventure Park, but the line is much faster and your kids will have a blast.Height requirement: You must be at least 54 inches tall to drive, 32 inches tall to ride along.

4. Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion is pretty scary throughout – and in a creepy coup at the end, you get to see the ghosts who are hitching a ride home with you. But for children who aren't easily frightened, this classic attraction is a lot of fun.

5. Indiana Jones Adventure

If your kid is the thrill-seeking, daredevil type, Indiana Jones Adventure will be just the ticket. Parts of this ride are truly terrifying – think gigantic snakes, near misses with boulders, and swarms of insects and mummies. Plus, you ride in a jeep that bounces, swerves, and skids perilously close to disaster. For some kids, that's totally awesome.Height requirement: You must be at least 46 inches tall to ride.

6. Star Tours – the Adventures Continue

Star Tours is such a smartly conceived and well-executed attraction, even the line is enjoyable. You're entertained by various droids and treated to a glimpse of the inner workings of a busy spaceport. Then you board your spacecraft for a fantastic motion-simulated adventure in a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars-loving kids will be enthralled.Height requirement: You must be at least 40 inches tall to ride.

7. Matterhorn Bobsleds

The Matterhorn Bobsleds ride is a nice introductory roller coaster for the 5-to-8 age group. It's fast and thrilling, but not as disorienting as Space Mountain. The alpine-kitsch theme is cute, and you get a quick scare from the Abominable Snowman.Height requirement: You must be at least 42 inches tall to ride.

Closed attractions: Check before you go!

Disneyland refurbishes rides constantly, so no matter when you go, a few rides are bound to be closed – possibly ones that you had your heart set on for your kids. Check the Disney site to see which rides will be closed on the dates you've chosen or are considering. As noted above, the Autopia will be out of commission for an unspecified period of time in 2016.

Adding to that, to allow for construction of the new Star Wars area in 2016-2017, a number of attractions will be closed temporarily as of January 2016. On the list are Fantasmic, the Mark Twain Riverboat, the Sailing Ship Columbia, the Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, the Disneyland Railroad, and the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes. As of January, the reopening date for these had not been announced.

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